NH1 News

SEACOAST — If you’ve noticed stink bugs in your home or yard, you’re not alone. They’re out in big numbers and even though more than 30 different types of stink bugs make their home in New Hampshire, there’s a new species that’s causing a lot of problems.

It’s the brown marmorated stink bug, which has made its way over here from China. The bugs eat fruits and vegetables, and cause a serious nuisance for homeowners. They were first detected in the U.S about 8 years ago in West Virginia.

“Homeowners are sweeping stink bugs up by the hundreds. They are everywhere,” said Dr. Alan Eaton, an entomologist at the University of New Hampshire, referring to the infestation down south.

The bugs, which are studied at the University of New Hampshire, have continued to migrate north. Connecticut started having a serious problem with the stink bugs infesting farmers’ crops this spring. Now 25 towns in New Hampshire are inhabited by the Asian Stink bugs.

“What worries me is the potential for crop problems in the future,” Dr. Eaton said.

Like the Asian long-horned beetles that have destroyed thousands of New England trees, this stink bug, from the same region in Asia, threatens our local plant life.